Home Modifications for Seniors: HUD Allocates $3.7 Million to Improve Safety and Accessibility

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

On August 22, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD announced that it has awarded $3.7 million to two non-profit organizations and a local housing authority. This funding aims to help low-income seniors stay in their homes by making necessary modifications.

Today, we’re reinforcing our commitment to improving the lives of older adults with limited resources, said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “These grants offer essential support to communities, allowing them to make affordable, impactful home repairs tailored to residents’ needs.

The home modifications are intended to reduce the risk of falls, increase accessibility, and improve the overall functionality of homes for seniors. HUD noted that making homes safer for seniors can lead to many positive outcomes.

There is a strong connection between health and housing, said Matthew Ammon, director of HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. This program helps keep homes safe, healthy, and easy to live in, empowering older adults to age in place with dignity.

Falls among seniors are a serious issue, with an increasing number of Americans dying from fall-related injuries.

The grants were awarded to an independent living center in Florida, a local housing authority in Maine, and a community action center in Massachusetts. The funds will be used to improve 525 homes across these three states.

These investments will allow older adults to remain in their homes—aging in place—instead of moving to nursing homes or assisted care facilities, HUD said.

This funding is part of HUD’s Older Adults Home Modification Program. This is the second round of funding, following a larger $70 million round in April, which was distributed across 27 states and Puerto Rico. The program aims to help vulnerable residents by addressing housing-related health and safety hazards, supporting sustainable local programs, and conducting research to identify and mitigate these hazards.

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